What is polycystic ovary syndrome?
PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is a common disorder (6-12% of U.S. women of childbearing age have it) characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgens, or polycystic ovaries. Common symptoms include long or irregular cycles, lack of ovulation, excess facial or body hair, acne, infertility, weight gain, skin tags, and dark spots on the skin. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but if left untreated, complications include:
- Obesity
- Metabolic syndrome
- Fatty liver
- Infertility
- Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Uterine Cancer
- Frustration
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
As you can see, these health complications can have very serious consequences, so knowing how to manage PCOS is crucial to your health and longevity.
How does sugar affect PCOS?
A major factor in PCOS management is sugar consumption.
Insulin resistance appears to play a role in the production of excess androgens/male hormones. When blood sugar levels rise, insulin is produced so cells can take up and use glucose from the blood. Over time, cells can become insulin resistant, leading to a buildup of sugar and insulin in the blood. This extra insulin can lead to the production of extra male hormones, which can lead to PCOS and ovulation problems. It also works in the other direction - the presence of high levels of testosterone stimulates insulin production and ultimately leads to insulin resistance. Essentially, insulin resistance increases the risk of PCOS and vice versa.
Additionally, sugar can exacerbate or promote PCOS through inflammation. Consuming sugar triggers an inflammatory response in the body, which stimulates the ovaries to produce androgens. This can worsen PCOS symptoms and even cause damage to the cardiovascular system.
Sugar cravings are a common complaint among women with PCOS, although sugar is exactly what you shouldn't be eating if you have the disease. With too much insulin in the system, these cravings can worsen, creating a difficult cycle of worsening cravings and symptoms.
Polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity
One of the hallmarks of PCOS is weight gain. Obesity is often closely associated with PCOS and can worsen symptoms and complications of the disease. One study found that more than 80 percent of women with polycystic ovary syndrome in the United States will develop obesity at some point. It's another tricky cycle, PCOS predisposes women to obesity, and obesity can make PCOS symptoms worse. Since a high-sugar diet contributes to America's obesity epidemic, keeping sugar intake to a minimum can help both.
Polycystic ovary syndrome and diabetes
There is also a lot of overlap between PCOS and diabetes. In fact, more than half of women diagnosed with PCOS will develop type 2 diabetes by age 40. Apparently, insulin resistance mechanisms contribute to this overlap, while sugar consumption and unhealthy lifestyle choices contribute to insufficient insulin sensitivity (and resulting health conditions). Controlling blood sugar is an effective way to manage PCOS symptoms and prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.
Managing PCOS
For the management of PCOS, doctors recommend:
- Healthy eating low in refined sugar
- Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day to keep blood sugar levels more stable
- Physical activity for weight and symptom management
- Medication (including birth control pills, ovulation-inducing drugs to try to conceive, diabetes drugs, or drugs to treat conditions such as acne)
As with many common health conditions today, a healthy lifestyle choice that is rich in nutrients and low in added sugar is an important part of PCOS management. By making healthy choices and fueling your body in natural and healthy ways, you can prevent and manage a variety of health problems.
